How Often Should I Update My Resume?

I love my job and do not plan on looking for another one in the near future. I was even recently promoted. Still, my best friend says I am a fool not to have an updated resume on hand at all times. What’s your opinion?

Sorry to break the news like this, but your friend is right. Here’s why: You may love your current job, but in today’s increasingly competitive business world, you never know when an unexpected downsizing – or, on the flipside, a call from a headhunter — might come along. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to update, not to mention format, a resume under a tight deadline. And, depending on your industry, it could be advantageous to job hop more often than you think.

Even if you’re really not going anywhere, the list of your accomplishments that should appear on your resume can be a great tool to bolster your case in a performance review. Finally, “when you let the resume updating lag for a long time, you forget all the things you’ve done,” explains Linda Surrell, counseling director of the Career Action Network in Cupertino, Calif.

So let’s work on your resume for a minute. Here’s what not to include. (These examples come from real resumes listed in Fortune Magazine.)

“I’m a perfectionist and rarely if if if ever forget details.”

“I am loyal to my employer at all costs.”

“Please feel free to respond to my resume on my office voice mail.”

“Personal interests: donating blood. Fourteen gallons so far.”

“Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store.”

“Reason for leaving last job: They insisted that all employees get to work by 8:45 am every morning.”

“Finished eighth in my class of ten.”

There are also many, many resume books available. The hands down winner is “The Damn Good Resume Guide” by Yana Parker (Ten Speed Press).